Astral Chain Reviews

Astral Chain is ranked in the 98th percentile of games scored on OpenCritic.
GamingTrend
David Flynn
Top Critic
95 / 100
Sep 7, 2019

Astral Chain brings together gameplay elements from all of Platinum's best, from Bayonetta to Transformers Devastation, and adds the secret spice of detective work to tie it all together. It's easy enough for newcomers to the genre, deep enough for veterans, and one of Platinum's best.

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Sep 17, 2019

Astral Chain is a different take on Platinum Games' proven formula, so much so that it still deserves to be given a chance if you're a fan of their previous works. Although the battles never quite reach the same level of finesse and variety as in Bayonetta, there are still a couple of opportunities in the game that are really close. Especially during confrontations with the bigger bosses.

Review in Swedish | Read full review

ZTGD
Top Critic
8.5 / 10.0
Nov 7, 2019

Despite the hardware limitations and a handful of odd design choices, Astral Chain is one of the best new IPs to hit in recent years and one deserving the attention of every Switch owner.

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Aug 29, 2019

Astral Chain balances smart yet exciting combat and rewarding mechanics with slower, more thoughtful investigation elements and fun exploration.

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GameMAG
Top Critic
9 / 10
Aug 26, 2019

Astral Chain is an another victory of PlatinumGames, which did not copy the usual formula of Devil May Cry and tried to do something new. The emphasis on adventure, interesting story, stylish action, unusual battle system and atmospheric locations are capturing all your attention. It is not just what the fans were waiting for, it is even more than that.

Review in Russian | Read full review

8.5 / 10.0
Aug 26, 2019

Astral Chain is a detective story of the near future, a game with a crazy rhythm and direction. However it is around the gravitational field of his combat system that sensational qualities and unexpected flaws rotate. We're still talking about a memorable, amusing, tachycardic experience, doped by a techno-aesthetic power that flexes Switch's muscles like only Nintendo managed to do. Despite certain flaws endemic to their work (unmanageable camera on all), PlatinumGames confirms itself as the king of stylish action games.

Review in Italian | Read full review

91 / 100
Aug 26, 2019

Astral Chain is an excellent action game that uses the Switch’s unique hardware in creative ways. It fits handsomely in PlatinumGames’ excellent catalog and should satisfy anyone who likes Japanese action RPGs, or third-person action games. It is a wholly satisfying experience.

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JVL
Cloud
Top Critic
16 / 20
Aug 26, 2019

Far from being a little game while waiting for the main course, the new license for Platinum Games has a universe and original gameplay mechanics that we only ask to see again in another episode more balanced in its structure.

Review in French | Read full review

9.3 / 10.0
Aug 26, 2019

Astral Chain is, without a doubt, one of the best games ever released by Platinum Games and one of the best Nintendo Switch exclusives to date.

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Unscored
Sep 12, 2019

If only more big-league developers dared to be this bonkers, the industry would be that much more untamed.

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9 / 10.0
Nov 8, 2019

Astral Chain is everything that’s right about Platinum, reflecting the fresh, quirky, gunslinging mentality that the studio displays in its best works. Part Bayonetta and part Pokemon with a heavy sprinkling of police sci-fi in between, Astral Chain is a breath of fresh air in an industry typically dominated by sequels and familiar formulas. Free time sections could be a bit more dialed down and the Legion combat can be a handful at times. Overall, though, Astral Chain marks a promising start to what will hopefully be a new franchise.

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10 / 10.0
Sep 5, 2019

PlatinumGames' Astral Chain is the most innovative action games in years and certainly one of the best games of 2019.

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Sep 4, 2019

If you ask if something is possible for you or your Legion to do in Astral Chain, most of the time, the answer is yes.

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8 / 10.0
Aug 27, 2019

Astral Chain is one of Platinum Games' most complex and satisfying action games to date, with combat that's suitably fast but far more purposeful and careful in execution. Its gorgeous world and enticing premise are betrayed by an uninteresting story and characters, but there's little else to fault when you're teaming up with your legions and solving cases across different dimensions.

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Aug 29, 2019

Astral Chain is one of PlatinumGames' finest acts this generation, cementing itself as yet another stellar exclusive for Nintendo Switch. It doesn't reach the heights of excellence achieved by Yoko Taro's NieR: Automata, but can more than hold its own thanks to an excellent setting, experimental combat and so, so much style it hurts.

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Gameplanet
Billy Atman
Top Critic
9 / 10.0
Aug 29, 2019

Astral Chain is one of the most exciting new IPs I've played in years. From its stunning combat design to its gorgeous visuals, it packs a punch in almost every area. Combat feels incredible and the Legions add a huge amount of options to how you tackle any given battle. Some may fault the game for its more quiet moments and investigations, but the contrast they offer to the frantic action, feels near-perfect in its execution.

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9 / 10.0
Aug 26, 2019

As it is Astral Chain is still a massive exclusive and one of the best video games of 2019: not bad for an absolute debut!

Review in Italian | Read full review

96 / 100
Aug 26, 2019

Astral Chain is a reminder of why this form of entertainment is so special.

Review in Spanish | Read full review

4.5 / 5.0
Aug 26, 2019

Astral Chain could is one of the best games on Nintendo Switch, period. PlatinumGames has proved, once again, that no one does stylish action games better, and I sincerely hope we get to return to the Ark again someday.

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GameXplain
Top Critic
Liked-a-lot
Aug 26, 2019
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